Apparatus for hanging a keychain and keys

ABSTRACT

An attachment for cooperation with an associated electric switch mounting box and an associated faceplate which includes an elongated bolt; a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of the elongated bolt, and first and second finish washers, the beads being disposed on the elongated bolt when each of the beads being disposed in adjacent relationship to at least one other of the beads, the plurality of beads comprising an elongated stack, the first and second finish washers being disposed respectively at the axial extremities of the stack. In some forms of the invention the finish washers have cupped peripheral edges which may be disposed in facing relationship whereby the axial extremities of the stack have smooth surfaces. The beads may have respective colors associated with a country. The colors may be red, white and blue. Other forms of the apparatus include an electric switch mounting box having at least one threaded bore therein; a faceplate dimensioned and configured for mounting on the electric switch mounting box; an elongated bolt dimensioned and configured for passing through the faceplate into the threaded bore; a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of the elongated bolt; and first and second finish washers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to apparatus for holding a keychain and keys suchas car keys, house keys etc. Many people spend a substantial amount oftime searching for mislaid keys. The delays resulting from the mislaidkeys will result in lost opportunities for many people in even, in somecases, individuals rushing, once the keys are found, in a manner thatmay result in tickets for speeding, automobile accidents, arrests,medical bills, injured bodies, and even broken and lost lives.

Various prior art systems have been devised. These include variousbeeper mechanisms that are bulky to carry an expensive to obtain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object the present invention to provide apparatus which willenable a user to standardize the user's patterns of conduct in the usershome, workplace or other customary building that the user utilizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus that isvery inexpensive.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus that isdecorative.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus that is veryeasy to install.

It is now been found that these and other objects of the invention maybe attained in an attachment for cooperation with an associated electricswitch mounting box and an associated faceplate which includes anelongated bolt; a plurality of beads, each having an internal boredimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of the elongatedbolt, and first and second finish washers, the beads being disposed onthe elongated bolt when each of the beads being disposed in adjacentrelationship to at least one other of the beads, the plurality of beadscomprising an elongated stack, the first and second finish washers beingdisposed respectively at the axial extremities of the stack.

In some forms of the invention the finish washers have cupped peripheraledges which may be disposed in facing relationship whereby the axialextremities of the stack have smooth surfaces. The beads may haverespective colors associated with a country. The colors may be red,white and blue.

Other forms of the apparatus include an electric switch mounting boxhaving at least one threaded bore therein; a faceplate dimensioned andconfigured for mounting on the electric switch mounting box; anelongated bolt dimensioned and configured for passing through thefaceplate into the threaded bore; a plurality of beads, each having aninternal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion ofthe elongated bolt; and first and second finish washers. The beads aredisposed on the elongated bolt with each of the beads disposed inadjacent relationship to at least one other of the beads, the pluralityof beads comprising an elongated stack. The first and second finishwashers are disposed respectively at the axial extremities of the stack.

In some forms of the apparatus the finish washers have cupped peripheraledges and washers may be disposed in facing relationship whereby theaxial extremities of the stack have smooth surfaces. The beads may haverespective colors associated with a country such as red, white and blue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention better understood by reference the accompanying drawing inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the mounting apparatus in accordance withone form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of part of a wall-mountedswitch and switch plate together with the apparatus illustrated in FIG.1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention utilizes the mounting for a light switch plate to providea hangar for associated keys and a key ring. Virtually every residenceand commercial establishment has such light switch plates. Therefore, auser can standardize the place where the user places his or her keys andboth a residential and commercial environment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a conventional lightswitch 12 projecting through a conventional light switch plate 14.Customarily, the light switch plate 14 is mounted by two identical bolts16. (one shown) The bolts 16 cooperate with a box (not shown).

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a bolt 18, longerthan the bolts 16 and having the same diameter and thread characteristicas the bolt 16 replaces the bolts 16 that originally extended throughthe lower (as viewed) portion of the switch plate 14.

The greater length of the bolt 18 permits placement of three (inpreferred embodiment) three beads 22 having internal bores dimensionedand configured for engagement with the outer diameter of the threadedportion of the bolt 18. Preferably, finish washers 20 are disposed inthe axial extremities of the array of three beads 22. The finish washers20 having internal bores dimensioned and configured for engagement withthe bolt 18. Some embodiments of the invention include a plastic, suchas nylon, sleeve (not shown) intermediate each finish washer in theadjacent be 22. Such embodiments utilize the sleeve to improve therigidity of the assembly.

The color of the beads 22 may be varied to coordinate with the colorscheme of the room in which it is utilized. Alternatively, the colorsmay be chosen to be patriotic such as the colors associated with a givennation. In other cases the colors may be associated with a school,college or university.

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should notbe construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should bedetermined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the presentinvention fully encompass other embodiments which may become obvious tothose skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention isaccordingly to be limited by the appended claims, in which reference toan element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one”unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural,chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinaryskill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and areintended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is notnecessary for a device or method to address each and every problemsought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassedby the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or methodstep in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the publicregardless of whether the element, component, or method step isexplicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unlessthe element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

1. An attachment for cooperation with an associated electric switchmounting box and an associated faceplate which comprises: an elongatedbolt; a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned forallowing passage of an axial portion of said elongated bolt; and firstand second finish washers, said beads being disposed on said elongatedbolt when each of said beads being disposed in adjacent relationship toat least one other of said beads, said plurality of beads comprising anelongated stack, said first and second finish washers being disposedrespectively at the axial extremities of said stack.
 2. The apparatus asdescribed in claim 1 wherein said finish washers have cupped peripheraledges.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said first andsecond finish washers are disposed in facing relationship whereby theaxial extremities of said stack have smooth surfaces.
 4. The apparatusas described in claim 1 wherein said beads have respective colorsassociated with a country.
 5. The apparatus as described in claim 1wherein said beads have respective colors and include red, white andblue.
 6. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said beads haverespective colors associated with a country.
 7. The apparatus asdescribed in claim 2 wherein said beads have respective colors andinclude red, white and blue.
 8. The apparatus as described in claim 3wherein said beads have respective colors associated with a country. 9.The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said beads have respectivecolors and include red, white and blue.
 10. Apparatus for mounting anassociated key ring which comprises: an electric switch mounting boxhaving at least one threaded bore therein; a faceplate dimensioned andconfigured for mounting on said electric switch mounting box; anelongated bolt dimensioned and configured for passing through saidfaceplate into said threaded bore; a plurality of beads, each having aninternal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion ofsaid elongated bolt; and first and second finish washers, said beadsbeing disposed on said elongated bolt with each of said beads beingdisposed in adjacent relationship to at least one other of said beads,said plurality of beads comprising an elongated stack, said first andsecond finish washers being disposed respectively at the axialextremities of said stack.
 11. The apparatus as described in claim 10wherein said finish washers have cupped peripheral edges.
 12. Theapparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said first and second finishwashers are disposed in facing relationship whereby the axialextremities of said stack have smooth surfaces.
 13. The apparatus asdescribed in claim 10 wherein said beads have respective colorsassociated with a country.
 14. The apparatus as described in claim 10wherein said beads have respective colors and include red, white andblue.
 15. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said beads haverespective colors associated with a country.
 16. The apparatus asdescribed in claim 11 wherein said beads have respective colors andinclude red, white and blue.
 17. The apparatus as described in claim 12wherein said beads have respective colors associated with a country. 18.The apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said beads haverespective colors and include red, white and blue.